Peter Lynch said it over 20 years ago on the Fidelity TV commercials:
"The stock market is simple, its all about earnings."
So far this this 3rd quarter reporting period, we have way too many earnings and revenue misses.
I haven't seen this happen in the entire 4.5 years of this bull market.
The key techncial indicator to watch is the 20 month moving average (weekly equivilent: 80 week moving average).
Bull markets are supported by it and bear markets find it to be resistance. A monthly closing candle below it, isn't a good thing
as can be seen from the attached 10 year chart of the SPX.